Modern Parents Messy Kids

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One Week Outdoor Play Challenge

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Getting kids outside in the cold and wet weather can be a challenge, we know.  But doctors and teachers agree that kids need lots of time outside for a variety of reasons. Playing outside sparks imagination, improves motor skills and balance, provides a setting to learn about the natural world, boosts Vitamin D and promotes a healthy lifestyle that decreases obesity. … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Bucket List

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It's officially the holiday season. What I love most about this time of year are all the special activities I get to do with the kids.  What I don't love about this time of year is how crazy hectic it can be - often leaving me stressed out that I'm not finding the time to actually do all those special activities with the kids! This year the plan is to get out ahead of the stress by deciding what we'll do now and arming myself with the supplies so we'll be ready to make memories at a moment's … [Read more...]

How to Make Removable Wall Paper

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My friend Allyson from Day to Day Wonderments recently completed a project that was just too good not to share!  She, like many of us, is a renter and not allowed to change the paint color or wallpaper her home.  But she LOVES the look of wallpaper, don't we all? Enter a creative solution to an annoying problem.  Allyson created fabric to look like wallpaper and starched it to her wall.  Once they move, all they have to do is wet the walls and peel it off without doing any damage to the wall or … [Read more...]

Ideas so Good It’s Spooky

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The hubs and I are back from our whirlwind trip to San Francisco (thank you all for the fabulous restaurant suggestions!) and I'm realizing it's very nearly Halloween - eek!  In case the holiday has snuck up on you too, here's a list of MPMK activities and recipes there's still time to have some fun with... Make Oobleck (the perfect activity for Halloween parties) Read some of our top notch Halloween Story picks. Start a (last minute) Halloween tradition. Decorate pumpkins - ideas for … [Read more...]

Beating the Post-Halloween Sugar Rush

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Only a few more days until Halloween. Which means there are only a few more days until the overload of sweets and candy begins. Last year, we hid the Halloween candy the day after Halloween, and my daughter was young enough that she forgot about it within a day or two. This year, that is definitely not going to happen.  If you are like me and can't hide the candy, but don't want your kids eating a ton of it, this super easy art project is for you. … [Read more...]

18 Things You Didn’t Know Your Slow Cooker Could Make

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The slow cooker is all the rage these days (thank you, Pinterest!). I am all about putting my kitchen appliances to work, but I haven’t made much more than the usual pot roasts, soups and pulled meats. I did a little research and found some atypical slow cooker recipes worthy of sharing. Some made sense, but some just blew my mind - I mean, Chex Mix in the slow cooker?? Crazy. Row One- Brownies, Yogurt, Artisan Bread Row Two- Dulce de Leche, Baked Potatoes, Oatmeal Row Three- Lemonade, Chex … [Read more...]

Midweek Musing: Do Moms Still Mend?

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(images via refashion co-op and Freshly Picked) I mentioned yesterday we recently celebrated C's 4th birthday.  The day after he opened his gifts, I took advantage of his grandparents still being in town and embarked on an impromptu organization session.  When I started out I intended just to make room for the new toys but, before I knew it, I was on to our closets as well (this is what Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life is doing to me people). By the end of the day I'd sent my hubs off to … [Read more...]

Best DIY Birthday Cake Ever

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I've discussed in the past our family's evolution from throwing picture perfect birthday parties to establishing birthday traditions instead. Recently C turned four and this year was no exception. We celebrated him by sharing dollar store trinkets with his preschool class, embarking on a special outing to the Space Needle and Seattle's monorail, having dinner at his favorite restaurant with the grandparents, and letting him help make his birthday cake.  There was a present or two thrown in … [Read more...]

Make Your Halloween Costume Count (and Last)

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Photo credit: Justin W. Moore (www.outdoorphoto.com) Whether you buy a costume or make it at home, they can be expensive and time-consuming. You can make those dollars and hours count by not only encouraging your child to have fun on Halloween night, but by helping her to really get into character and to learn a lot as well. Dressing up is the ultimate form of pretending and there are amazing learning opportunities in the fun of dressing up for Halloween. In costume, you get to really feel … [Read more...]

Kid Craft: Make Dr. Seuss’ Oobleck

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Who says Halloween crafts and activities have to be scary? I absolutely love this slimey, ooey, gooey activity for helping little ones to get in on the festivities. Here's our contributor Kaley with the detials... It's gooey. It's gummy. It's like glue. It's oobleck! I have a soft spot for activities that correlate with children's books, and this is one of our favorites. After reading about the green sticky goop that falls from the sky in Dr. Seuss's Bartholomew and the Oobleck, amaze your … [Read more...]

Outdoor Preschool: How to Dress for Hours of Rain & Cold

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I've shared here before that our son goes to an all outdoor preschool, but only briefly.  In case you missed it, let me say it again. Our son attends a preschool 3 1/2 hours a day, two days a week which, aside from the bathroom, has absolutely no indoor facilities.  And, yes, we do still live in Seattle where it rains approximately 9 months a year. Are you shocked?  Think I'm nuts? … [Read more...]